A screwdriver became a weapon Wednesday after law enforcement officials say a drug deal went bad, landing two Atmore men behind bars.

Drug Task Force Agent Scott Walden said officers responded to a call around 3:45 p.m. Wednesday after being told a black male was chasing a white male down the railroad tracks on Howard Street and brandishing a gun. That is where officers arrested Larry Lyons and the white male, whose name could not be released due to his involvement in other pending cases.

“Upon arriving we made contact with the white male,” Walden said. “He stated that (Lyons) robbed him of $125. We made contact with a couple of witnesses who had seen the altercation and gave us the name of Larry Lyons.”

Walden said he immediately had suspicions the alleged theft was tied to a drug deal.

“We made contact with Lyons and he denied any knowledge of the robbery,” he said. “But after further investigation, it was found out, with the admittance of both parties, that Mr. Lyons was going to sale 60 Loratabs to the white male for $2 each. The white male stated he decided not to purchase the pills because they didn’t look like Loratab. He stated that was when Lyons snatched his money and ran.”

Walden said the white male pursued Lyons on foot until the alleged robber picked up a screwdriver and began chasing him. Walden said no gun was involved as was originally reported.

Both men were arrested. Lyons was charged with menacing and conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime. The white male was charged with filing a false police report and, Walden said, additional charges may follow.

As of Friday afternoon, Lyons remained in jail at the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton on $10,000 bail.